best tube bender on a budget?

[mcheck]

it seems that it has been awhile since this question was asked last, and am wondering if the opinions have changed. what is the best bender on a budget or roughly 800 or 1000 bucks? jd2? jmr? protools?

pros/cons of each?

user friendlyness?

ease of use?

quality?

best bang for the buck?

[Horn3yHort0n]

I love my pro tools

[philofab]

All of those are about the same bender... not a whole lot of differences. My JD2 is 10 years old and still working great. Mine has had a hydraulic kit since last year, which made it much better to use.

[FabioP]

Just buy the dies and build your own.:D

Read this:
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56773

[HardCharger81]

There's a guy on Pirate building a nice looking one that uses pro-tools dies.
I've been thinking about buying one myself, and they seem to have alot of positive reviews.

http://www.probender.com

BTW, I'm not connected to them, just something I've seen.

[Twisted Minis]

I built this one:
http://hotrodders.com/journal_photos/00044506/11834362192.jpg

I think it cost around $350 to build.

[FabioP]

I built this one:
http://hotrodders.com/journal_photos/00044506/11834362192.jpg

I think it cost around $350 to build.

More info on this? What side tubing did you use? How about the dies? whose?

[Twisted Minis]

It's 2x2 .188 wall for the most part. Arms are 5/8" cold rolled. It uses Pro Tools dies. I've bent up to .188 wall tube in 1" and 1.5". And it does my .120 wall all day long no problems. You can get plans here:
http://www.gottrikes.com/Tube_Bender.htm

The design has changed a lot since I built mine a few years ago, for the better. I won't rebuild mine as I either want to get a full hydraulic Pro Tools so I can reuse all my dies, or get the hydraulic JMR.

[mcheck]

if u had to choose, jd2 model 3 or jd2 model 32?

[atomicjoe23]

$800-$1000. . .I'm guessing you mean with dies then because you can get any of those for under $500 for a complete kit (without hydraulics which are nice, but aren't necessary if your on a budget. . .we were able to bend an entire buggy chassis out of 1.50 x 0.120" DOM in less than 2 hrs. without hydraulics). . .

I've used the ProTools and the JD2 and I can't tell the difference between them. . .I personally am going to get a JD2 Model 32 when I get mine. . .because of the increased capacity (2.50 x 0.250") and the anti-springback feature. . .and it's only a $100 more than the Model 3. . .although I do have the plan for the JD2 Model 3, the ProTools Model 3, the one that Twisted Minis posted and the plans for one of the hydraulic U-bend machines as well. . .I have thought about building my own, but I would still be paying a local shop to cut the arms out for me and everything so I think it might end up costing me more to build my own after paying to have the plates cut than it would to just buy one. . .

. . .as a side note I have also used a Hossfeld and I would not recommend this machine to anyone doing the type of fabrication work that is seen on this forum, it kinked every single piece of tube or pipe that we put through it. . .we used it for one bend for some pro-bono football sleds we were building for the local peewee football league and it has sat under the jig table ever since!!!

[tool46n2]

I built this one:
http://hotrodders.com/journal_photos/00044506/11834362192.jpg

I think it cost around $350 to build.

i love this bender. i gonna have to build this one at work. thanks.:)

[standfast]

I have been using this bender for about 3-4 years with no problems. It comes with 4 dies, 1",1.25",1.5",1.75" and is air/hydro for $1050. I ordered a 2" die later on for a project but it is sure nice to have all those dies right off the bat for that cheap. I like it better than some of the JD2's and others because it pulls a full 90 degree bend without stopping and re-pinning it. It doesn't have a degree wheel but I just mounted it to a level table and use a magnetic digital level on the piece of tube. The dies are way cheaper than others when you want to add to your setup later on. You could build any bender and buy 4 dies and already spend more than this.

http://www.toolsplus1.com/eztube.htm

[atomicjoe23]

Standfast has a good point here. . .the dies can cost from just as much as the bender itself (without hydraulics) to more than the bender for each individual die set. . .that is something to consider when purchasing a bender. . .

I am checking out his link now. . .

[mcheck]

does that bender dimple the tubing? or anything like that?

[SoDrty]

Model 32 bitches!!!!

[atomicjoe23]

OK. . .I checked out the EZBender link that Standfast posted up and the only complaint I would have about that set-up is the centerline radius of the dies. . .

they only have one option available and it's 5" for the small 1" stuff and goes up to 6" for like the 1.5" stuff. . .

. . .I like having options and a 5" CLR is pretty big for 1" tubing. . .I like the 4" CLR radius. . .that's what we used on our buggy and we used 1.5" x 0.120" DOM. . .most of the other benders allow you at least two different CLR options until you get up to the 2" DOM. . .in the smaller tube sizes they have 3 or more options for the CLR. . .

. . .I'll stick with the JD2 Model 32 for what I'm saving for. . .you don't have to have hydraulics so you can get it cheap as well. . .and generally speaking you are only gonna need one maybe two dies and most people only need one initially. . .I'm gonna start with a 1.75" die and then I will be getting a 2" die for bumpers and step bars and then I might get a smaller die for light bars, etc. . .but initially I will be fine with one die and I have a couple of friends who each have a different size die than 1.75" so if I need another die sooner than I expect I can always borrow one. . .

[standfast]

I just designed the car around the dies available. Not a big deal really. I used 3 dies on this last car I built. I like having all the dies because it helps with the sidework that I pick up and gives me a lot more options. The bends come out the same as any other non mandrel bender I have used like a JD2, just a lot faster.

[dirtdudeaz]

Ive used the model 32. It was a decent little bender. The crappy thing though is the way you have to set up the degree indicator. They slot a grove in the metal and you bend a welding rod at a 90 (or a few angles to get it down next to the degree wheel) and pinch it with a washer/bolt. They have pictures on the website. It isnt bad, but it makes trying to bend a bunch of same tubes exact everytime without checking and rechecking after every bend.

[atomicjoe23]

We didn't have any problems with that set-up. . .we bent an entire chassis without one problem. . .and I would say 3/4 of what we bent were mirrors of each other. . .we only had a couple of tubes that weren't copied on the opposite side. . .we just used some Oxy-Fuel or TIG rod for the pointer. . .no problem. . .sure beat the hell out of the Hossfeld bender we already had in the shop!!!

But I haven't used any other benders besides the ProTools Model 105, JD2 Model 3, and the Hossfeld Model 2 (I think it was the Model 2. . .I was so disgusted with that bender that I won't ever use a Hossfeld again!!! so it doesn't really matter to me what model it was or wasn't!)

[SoDrty]

dude,... if you can fabricate, you can figure out a way to make a better degree pointer

[atomicjoe23]

dude,... if you can fabricate, you can figure out a way to make a better degree pointer

Dial Indicator Base with a sharpened tungsten??? or different material for the pointer, but I'm pretty sure that looks to be a magnetic dial indicator base. . .good idea!!!

[tool46n2]

Dial Indicator Base with a sharpened tungsten??? or different material for the pointer, but I'm pretty sure that looks to be a magnetic dial indicator base. . .good idea!!!

Wow, nice.

[SoDrty]

Dial Indicator Base with a sharpened tungsten??? or different material for the pointer, but I'm pretty sure that looks to be a magnetic dial indicator base. . .good idea!!!

Bingo! Make sure the tungsten is 2% Ha!!!

[dirtdudeaz]

dude,... if you can fabricate, you can figure out a way to make a better degree pointer

Ok "dude"... lay off the attitude. It was the first shop I worked in and it was for the summer. The owner just got it and had never used that model before either.

Showing the pic would have been enough.

[07FJRog]

dude,... if you can fabricate, you can figure out a way to make a better degree pointer

I have that indicator and the other one mentioned, with weld wire in it. very easy once the first one is done, I only readjust it when changing dies and reset the wire for Zero.


Rog

[philofab]

I have been using this bender for about 3-4 years with no problems. It comes with 4 dies, 1",1.25",1.5",1.75" and is air/hydro for $1050. I ordered a 2" die later on for a project but it is sure nice to have all those dies right off the bat for that cheap. I like it better than some of the JD2's and others because it pulls a full 90 degree bend without stopping and re-pinning it. It doesn't have a degree wheel but I just mounted it to a level table and use a magnetic digital level on the piece of tube. The dies are way cheaper than others when you want to add to your setup later on. You could build any bender and buy 4 dies and already spend more than this.

http://www.toolsplus1.com/eztube.htm


A friends has this bender and has snapped the dies with .120 and .188 DOM tubing.

[standfast]

I bent a bunch of 1.5" .120 4130, done a bunch of 2" .120 and have never had a problem. I wouldn't attempt .188 with any cheap bender though. For that I would just go use my buddies Ercolina.

They did tell me to make sure I used the correct die pivot holes or that could happen. Pretty easy to remember though.

[thebarn]

i love my pro tools 105 its cheap easy and good american quality jd2 is good too. ive used the jd2 in a shop and to be honest i like my protools better

[DBMETALWORX]

Just buy the dies and build your own.:D

Read this:
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56773

this is the way to go...the hossfeld is the most universal out there..easy to build. there are dies for rd. and sq. tube as well as pipe, flat bar, channel, angle . there's an attachment for shearing and 1 for punching. you can get the hyd pump, valve, tank, and cyl from northern tool .you should be able to have the whole thing, with a small die [3/4" or 1"] @ a reasonable price. a 3450 rpm motor about 1-1.5 hp, no more than 2 gal/min pump, and a 2 way control valve, a 2"-2.5" cyl x i think 36"..makes a nice set-up..

[DBMETALWORX]

$800-$1000. . .I'm guessing you mean with dies then because you can get any of those for under $500 for a complete kit (without hydraulics which are nice, but aren't necessary if your on a budget. . .we were able to bend an entire buggy chassis out of 1.50 x 0.120" DOM in less than 2 hrs. without hydraulics). . .

I've used the ProTools and the JD2 and I can't tell the difference between them. . .I personally am going to get a JD2 Model 32 when I get mine. . .because of the increased capacity (2.50 x 0.250") and the anti-springback feature. . .and it's only a $100 more than the Model 3. . .although I do have the plan for the JD2 Model 3, the ProTools Model 3, the one that Twisted Minis posted and the plans for one of the hydraulic U-bend machines as well. . .I have thought about building my own, but I would still be paying a local shop to cut the arms out for me and everything so I think it might end up costing me more to build my own after paying to have the plates cut than it would to just buy one. . .

. . .as a side note I have also used a Hossfeld and I would not recommend this machine to anyone doing the type of fabrication work that is seen on this forum, it kinked every single piece of tube or pipe that we put through it. . .we used it for one bend for some pro-bono football sleds we were building for the local peewee football league and it has sat under the jig table ever since!!!

i have been using a hossfeld for 18 yrs now with no such problems. matter of fact most of the fab shops around phx use one or a copy of a hossfeld.. tatum motorsports, foddrill, wk enterprizes, ed beard. the list goes on.. it was invented in 1927, and still kicks butt today!!

[DBMETALWORX]

I bent a bunch of 1.5" .120 4130, done a bunch of 2" .120 and have never had a problem. I wouldn't attempt .188 with any cheap bender though. For that I would just go use my buddies Ercolina.

They did tell me to make sure I used the correct die pivot holes or that could happen. Pretty easy to remember though.

i have also used the hossfeld to bend 1"x .188" 4130n for jeep tie rods. as well as some other projects that require thick tube. as far as repeat bends go, 1st of all make it hyd, [simple and cheap], then put a ruler w/ a pointer on the hyd cyl. remember the measurement. besides these other machines w/ pointers and degree wheels are just ballpark becuz you still have springback, which varies with thickness and type of material.

[DBMETALWORX]

Something else, if you build a hyd set-up, put it on wheels and seperate from the the machine. Make a foot pedal, with a cable to operate it, and quick disconnects on your hoses. This way you can use the hyd for other equipment. I use 3 of these portable units.i run my tube bender, a 20ton press, a 100 ton press, my 6 ft shear, a homemade punch, a tube notcher, and a homemade 2 ft brake, as well as my 4 ft slip roll.. My next project is goin to be a press brake that runs on the hyd of my ironworker...use your head some and you can DO anything!!!!!

[atomicjoe23]

I was only sharing my experience with the Hossfeld. . .mine is probably the exception to the rule, but I was extremely turned off by the bends produced by it. . .

The new JD2 Model 32 accounts for springback. . .something to keep in mind. . .

. . .EXCELLENT suggestions DBMetalWorx!!!

[DBMETALWORX]

Check the bends on the #84 trophy truck of vanderwey, done with hossfeld, geiser bros trucks too.. Same bender. You may of had the wrong stuff. This is the most common bender out there.. It makes flawless bends.. And it's simple to make. Like i said before mine is 18 yrs old, and still works like new, the dies are showing some wear , but i've bent alot of tube with it.. It's only made of flat bar. 1" and 3/4" holes 1-1/16 apart, theres a link back on the 1st page to the important measurements. I just hate to see someone spend $1k on a peice of equipment and realize 2 months later that you need something the cheaper route can't do... You can build this mach for right in that range.. All thats needed is a drill press, a welder, a saw, and some measuring tools.. Any questions just ask, i'll be more than happy to help. Check out williams lowbuck tools in the back of dirtsports, get their catalog, look @ the hy-bend, it's $3k. But look @ this pic along the print on the 1st page of this thread, a little time and you have a helluva machine..my buddy has the jd2 and it does bend metal, it's just not for me, being a job shop. Job shop meaning we do whatever needs done. The hossfeld just makes more sense..

[john92223]

I agree with DB. I also have a hossfeld #2 bender that is as old as his, which I converted to hydraulic. It has always made flawless bends. A buddy of mine liked the bender so he took measurements and went down and bought the steel and made his own for a fraction of the cost.

[DBMETALWORX]

i agree with db. I also have a hossfeld #2 bender that is as old as his, which i converted to hydraulic. It has always made flawless bends. A buddy of mine liked the bender so he took measurements and went down and bought the steel and made his own for a fraction of the cost.

this is so easy.............................it's just a peice of metal...1/2x 2-1/2 flat bar, some tube, and you're done..i may be persuaded to make 1!!with out hyd,or with..

[maxyedor]

I wouldn't attempt .188 with any cheap bender though. For that I would just go use my buddies Ercolina.


I've done plenty of 1.5x.250 4130 with my Pro Tools 105 and have had no issues, my little Harbor Freight 8-ton air over hydro ram doesn't like it all that much though, I suppose you can't expect miracles from an $89 hydro set-up though:rolleyes:

I really do like the 105, especially now that I've converted it with the cheapo hydro set-up. Only problem now is that the cart isn't quite 100% level and that can bet worse depending on where you "park" it, so you have to spend 5 minutes fiddling with it before setting up any compound bends. At this stage of the game I wish I'd have bought the HD version, but at the time my plan was to buy it, make my bumpers and some various other little things and sell it, plans changed and I kept it. I've used my buddy's JD Model 4, and love the elctro-hydro, but setting it up is a little harder ad finding the right spot to "index" the tube on the die isn't as easy. It would also be nice if Pro Tools made an attachment that you could use to bend flat-bar for tabs and what-not, pretty sure there's one for the JD Model 4, and there's 1000 different attachments and dies for that sort of thing to fit a Hossfeld.

[DBMETALWORX]

I've done plenty of 1.5x.250 4130 with my Pro Tools 105 and have had no issues, my little Harbor Freight 8-ton air over hydro ram doesn't like it all that much though, I suppose you can't expect miracles from an $89 hydro set-up though:rolleyes:

I really do like the 105, especially now that I've converted it with the cheapo hydro set-up. Only problem now is that the cart isn't quite 100% level and that can bet worse depending on where you "park" it, so you have to spend 5 minutes fiddling with it before setting up any compound bends. At this stage of the game I wish I'd have bought the HD version, but at the time my plan was to buy it, make my bumpers and some various other little things and sell it, plans changed and I kept it. I've used my buddy's JD Model 4, and love the elctro-hydro, but setting it up is a little harder ad finding the right spot to "index" the tube on the die isn't as easy. It would also be nice if Pro Tools made an attachment that you could use to bend flat-bar for tabs and what-not, pretty sure there's one for the JD Model 4, and there's 1000 different attachments and dies for that sort of thing to fit a Hossfeld.
my hossfeld is mounted permanently to the floor square and true. i know this takes a lot of space, but its consistant.sometimes i wish it was on wheels, but just need to go to the high school, and see them fight it to get a consistant bend. thats when i am the happiest with my mounting.. asfar as the 1000's of different attachments for the hossfeld go, thats exactly what im talking about.. and its easy to build and cheap..

[atomicjoe23]

Guess I need to take another look at my Hossfeld blueprints. . .

[mikeyfrombc]

i was in your shoes recently as well when it came to a bender , do i build one or buy one , i choose to buy one and after searching and comparing i bought the new RDB-050 from Baileigh , i,m currently waiting for it to be shipped once the $$ clears , i,ll post some pics when i get it in the next couple of weeks , i also ordered Bend Tech SE and their angle finder that clamps to the tube , can,t wait i have several projects to complete with these items.

[DBMETALWORX]

i was in your shoes recently as well when it came to a bender , do i build one or buy one , i choose to buy one and after searching and comparing i bought the new rdb-050 from baileigh , i,m currently waiting for it to be shipped once the $$ clears , i,ll post some pics when i get it in the next couple of weeks , i also ordered bend tech se and their angle finder that clamps to the tube , can,t wait i have several projects to complete with these items.

baileigh makes nice stuff..i've got a saw, and tube roller from them.. Highly recomend them for fab equip. Nice machinery @ a decent price..

[atomicjoe23]

Have you used BT Pro before??? If so, let me know how much you use the extra SE features vs. what the Pro comes with. . .

. . .I have Pro (and very happy with it). . .so I'm curious about the SE. . .I was under the impression that SE was geared more towards assembly line production. . .some of the features I'm not even clear on (the sketch function could be cool as could the multiple radii, but I think it would be a PITA to do in real practice and I would avoid it unless absolutely necessary). . .

[mikeyfrombc]

Have you used BT Pro before??? If so, let me know how much you use the extra SE features vs. what the Pro comes with. . .

. . .I have Pro (and very happy with it). . .so I'm curious about the SE. . .I was under the impression that SE was geared more towards assembly line production. . .some of the features I'm not even clear on (the sketch function could be cool as could the multiple radii, but I think it would be a PITA to do in real practice and I would avoid it unless absolutely necessary). . .

i haven,t used any of the programs yet this will be my 1st time , for what i want to do SE was recommended , my next purchase will be the header module Chris just started offering in the last yr .this is all new to me i,m gonna be learning to use a cad program as well so i,m gonna be pulling my hair out learning new programs LOL .

[atomicjoe23]

I just saw the header module the other day when I bounced onto Trick Tools website. . .stoked about that. . .I will want that soon, but I need to get my own bender first (and a TIG machine and a TorchMate/plasma cutter and a. . .etc., etc.)!!!

If you get the header module post up on it. . .I'd be very interested to see how it works and what features it has. . .

[DBMETALWORX]

i just saw the header module the other day when i bounced onto trick tools website. . .stoked about that. . .i will want that soon, but i need to get my own bender first (and a tig machine and a torchmate/plasma cutter and a. . .etc., etc.)!!!

If you get the header module post up on it. . .i'd be very interested to see how it works and what features it has. . .

joe start with a good chop saw, you already have a welder, go next for a mill/drill, you can get em that run on 110v/ r8 tooling, which is cheap on e-bay..the hossfeld bender is easy to build then,that way you have the drilling capacity, as well as machining.. I would then consider making a press, that runs on the hyd power from the bender. So what i'm getting at is this..if you're on a budget, get the tools to make the tools, you use to make your stuff..it's not as hard as you might think!! And it's fun.. Any questions about the hyd for a bender, that will run endless hyd operated equipment, just hit me up..

[atomicjoe23]

Yeah. . .I'm gonna get a drill press next for sure(didn't include that in the list though). . .I have a compound miter saw with an abrasive blade right now that fits the bill for as much cutting as I'm currently doing. . .when I upgrade I would really like a cold cut saw because they are so much quieter and the metal stays cool. . .I also have a medium duty Victor oxy-acetylene set-up for cutting and brazing (minus the tanks at the moment. . .couldn't afford both) until I can afford a plasma cutter. . .

. . .I already have the blueprints for a three of the benders (Hossfeld, JD2 Model 3, and one of the cheesy hydraulic press types), a hydraulic press, and a sheetmetal brake. . .

I'm all about making as many of my tools as I can. . .I love to make the stuff and it's extra practice to perfect my technique where fit-up and dimensioning aren't quite as critical (with the exception of the tubing bender. . .so that bends are repeatable. . .)

. . .thanks for all the suggestions. . .I'm just starting to get my home shop set-up. . .

[mikeyfrombc]

Yeah. . .I'm gonna get a drill press next for sure(didn't include that in the list though). . .I have a compound miter saw with an abrasive blade right now that fits the bill for as much cutting as I'm currently doing. . .when I upgrade I would really like a cold cut saw because they are so much quieter and the metal stays cool. . .I also have a medium duty Victor oxy-acetylene set-up for cutting and brazing (minus the tanks at the moment. . .couldn't afford both) until I can afford a plasma cutter. . .

. . .I already have the blueprints for a three of the benders (Hossfeld, JD2 Model 3, and one of the cheesy hydraulic press types), a hydraulic press, and a sheetmetal brake. . .

I'm all about making as many of my tools as I can. . .I love to make the stuff and it's extra practice to perfect my technique where fit-up and dimensioning aren't quite as critical (with the exception of the tubing bender. . .so that bends are repeatable. . .)

. . .thanks for all the suggestions. . .I'm just starting to get my home shop set-up. . .

if you plan to buy a mill/drill down the road look into a gearhead style i had a 9x20 beltdrive and it was a POS took way too long to swap belts , high a low rpm changes where a real pain.

as far as a drill press goes buy the biggest and heaviest you can look for a #3 morse taper in the spindle and buy a model with a large dia spindle it will be more rigid .

[Baileigh Inc]

if you plan to buy a mill/drill down the road look into a gearhead style i had a 9x20 beltdrive and it was a POS took way too long to swap belts , high a low rpm changes where a real pain.

as far as a drill press goes buy the biggest and heaviest you can look for a #3 morse taper in the spindle and buy a model with a large dia spindle it will be more rigid .

Mike, lets see some pictures of your new bender :D

[thebarn]

i got a pro tools model 105 at my house and a jd2 at work i like my pro tools it pretty cheap its american. they are good people down at pro tools in florda . its just a great simple bender but if your gonna bend big thick walled tube like 2" 120. cromoly your gonna need good foot positioning and a big handle. if thats the case get some thing hydrolic but if you just gonna build personal stuff ( your own race car) for 1400 bucks with 2 sets of dies and a stand all shipped to me i couldnt have been any easier p.s.( i know i could have just built a stand but it was so nice to not have to do anything but putt anchors in the driveway)

[Old School 8]

I have been using a JMR hydraulic bender in the construction of my new class 8.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47296

I got this bender, in a trade situation, and no longer need it. I have bent all the 2" chrome-moly bends I need, (I hope !) and I have a smaller (JMR) manuel bender to finish my project. E-mail me if your looking.

[Ziggy]

I have the "Pro Tools" HB 302 15 ton air over hydraulic bender and I also bought their hole saw.I have 7 dies and and it works great.I've got under 2K into the whole set-up.